Question : Unspent MPLAD Fund

(a) the quantum of fund that remained unspent under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) in the country including West Bengal during the last five years, MP/year-wise;

(b) whether a sum of Rs. 12,000 crore of the MPLAD funds remain unspent in the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and

(d) whether the Government asks district administration to provide regular information on work-wise, MP-wise and year-wise details on progress of projects and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) to (c) The cumulative figures of funds that remained unspent under Members of Parliament Local AreaDevelopment Scheme (MPLADS) during the last five, (including West Bengal)are as follows:

Position as on Funds Released Expenditure Unspent fund
(in Rs. crore) (in Rs. crore) (in Rs. crore)

31.03.2015 36007.25 32373.12 4857.51
31.03.2016 39509.25 35997.90 4950.34
31.03.2017 43008.75 39904.26 5029.31
31.03.2018 46512.75 43980.55 4877.71
31.03.2019 50462.25 48997.07 4103.97
04.03.2020 53704.75 51267.75 5275.24

Given the nature and dynamics of the scheme, unspent balances are bound to exist at any given point of time, as the funds released under the scheme are non- lapsable and the funds received by a district in a particular year can be utilized in the subsequent financial year(s) also. Moreover, unspent balance is not an unused fund but also includes the funds in pipeline for implementation of ongoing works.

(d) Yes Sir, provisions exist on the MPLADSportal for the district authorities to provide work-wise, MP-wise and year-wise details on progress of projects regularly.

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